The Front Bottoms ‘Liberty and Prosperity 2015’

Words by Nick Hodgins

The Front Bottoms and GDP celebrated Record Store Day this year by releasing Liberty and Prosperity 2015, a four song, two-genre 7” split brought together by one state. The record contains all new material from the Jersey locals and with only 2,000 copies printed, if you managed to get your hands on one, consider yourself lucky.

The split opens up with GDP’s “Limousine,” a chill piano driven track where he raps about being lonely in a limo with three chicks. The back of the record claims: Run For Cover Records wants to add that “GDP is a lanky depressed asshole that is known to a few hundred kids for making drug raps with a bunch of degenerates. If you see him, kill him.”

The Front Bottoms debuted their first new songs since last year’s Rose EP, which consisted of previously unreleased, re-recorded tracks and one new acoustic song. “Wolfman” begins with a chime and a catchy distorted riff by guitarist Ciaran O’Donnell, followed Brian Sella’s distinct singing/speaking style where he covers life’s lessons and heartbreaks. The poppy instrumentals are challenged by the somber lyrics, “I totally get you, I was a birdcage and you were meant to fly.”

“Handcuffs” is a lighter track, depending on how you look at it. Held down by a single piano key, Sella tells a story of getting pepper sprayed by a cop, defending himself and getting 25 to life.

The band’s sound has certainly matured since their 2011 self-titled release while still retaining everything that makes The Front Bottoms, the Front Bottoms. Four chord progressions, catchy riffs and horns, all paired with Sella’s confessional lyrics make for songs that will stick with you for years. If these tracks are any indication of what’s to come from the Front Bottoms, 2015 is going to be a good one.